Coronavirus Update: Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s And Nordstrom Set To Close All Stores During COVID-19 Pandemic

Macy's department store's logo in New York City on Jan. 8, 2009.
Getty Image/Emmanuel Dunand

The coronavirus impact continues its spread as a number of retailers are now shutting their doors. Macy’s (M), Bloomingdale’s, and Nordstrom (JWN) have all announced that they will shut down their stores for the rest of the month.

Macy’s issued a statement on its website that said it will temporarily close all stores by the end of business on Tuesday through March 31. The company said this includes all of its Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bluemercury, Macy’s Backstage, Bloomingdales the Outlet, and Market by Macy’s stores

Impacted employees will receive benefits and compensation, the company said.

“The health and safety of our customers, colleagues and communities is our utmost priority,” Jeff Gennette, chairman and CEO at Macy’s, said in a statement. “As a result of the recent COVID-19 developments, we have decided to temporarily close our stores.

“We will work with government and health officials to assess when we will reopen our stores and safely bring our colleagues back to work. During this closure, we will continue to serve our customers through our e-commerce sites,” Gennette added.

Nordstrom has also decided to close its doors due to the effects of the coronavirus. In a message on its website, the company said that it will temporarily close all of its stores for two weeks, starting on Tuesday.

The store closures include all U.S. and Canada locations. The company will continue to serve customers through its online sites and mobile apps, including digital styling, online order pickup, and curbside services, as long as it is allowed by local regulations.

Nordstrom said that it will take care of its employees as best it can by offering them pay and benefits during the two-week period.

“There is no question this is a time of great uncertainty,” Erik Nordstrom, CEO of the company, and Pete Nordstrom, president and chief brand officer of the retailer, said in a statement. “While we don't know exactly what the future may hold, we feel confident that by sticking together and supporting each other, we'll emerge from this stronger than before.”

Shares of Macy's stock were down 0.52% as of 4:00 p.m. EDT on Tuesday while shares of Nordstorm stock was up 9.02% at the same time.